'Church Basement' show has holiday flavor circa 1959

DAKOTA LIVING

October 30, 2011

Aberdeen News

Away in a Basement, the third installment in the Church Basement Ladies series, is set in 1959.

The ladies are helping the kids get ready for their Sunday school Christmas program. As they discuss the politics of the pageant and mend old bathrobe costumes, little do the ladies know what surprises are in store for them, especially as the widowed pastor contemplates spending Christmas with someone new.

The ladies of the basement will bring more of their musical comedy merriment to the Capitol Theatre Nov. 13-16.

ACT is pleased to present the production of 'Away in a Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas' in Aberdeen, said Jim Walker, Aberdeen Community Theatre artistic/managing director. The first two shows in the 'Church Basement Ladies' saga were extremely well attended and this Christmas show looks like some performances may sell out. Anyone wanting tickets should get them quickly because they are going fast. The opening performance at 2 p.m. Sunday has sold the most tickets, but there are good seats left for all the shows.

Advertisement

As with the first two productions, the musical is based on the books by Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson, including the best-selling Growing Up Lutheran.

Away in the Basement features a book by Greta Grosch and music and lyrics by Drew Jansen, who has collaborated on every Church Basement Ladies production.

Troupe America is a nationally recognized production company in the national touring circuit. Founded in 1987, it has grown from a small production company to becoming widely recognized for its theatrical tours from coast to coast as well as in Canada.

Troupe America also owns and operates the Plymouth Playhouse in the Twin Cities area. It has also served as the home of the original musical Church Basement Ladies, which has been on tour for several years. The fourth show in the Church Basement Ladies franchise, Church Basement Ladies: A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement, is playing there.

Admission: $30 in advance and $32 at the door. Groups that purchase 10 or more tickets at the same time in advance pay $28 each.

Box office: Tickets available at Kathleen's, 401 S. Main St., from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays with check and cash only. Credit card sales are available at 605-725-2697 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Mail orders should be sent to ACT, P.O. Box 813, Aberdeen, SD 57402. Please include your performance preference and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.